Colts name Chuck Pagano new head coach

Pagano, who was the Ravens' defensive coordinator in 2011, replaces Jim Caldwell, who was fired last week.

Baltimore allowed the third-fewest yards and points in the league last season, a major reason they advanced all the way to the AFC Championship Game.

Pagano is the most recent defensive assistant in Baltimore to use that as a springboard to a head coaching job. Others include Jack Del Rio, Marvin Lewis, Mike Smith, Mike Nolan and Rex Ryan.

"We are so happy for Chuck, Tina and their daughters. We are proud of him," Ravens HC John Harbaugh said in a statement.

"Like me, Chuck grew up in the game and loves it. We will miss him and thank him for all he did for the Ravens."

The Colts surrendered the fifth-most points and ranked 25th overall defensively in 2011.

However given the assumption that Indianapolis will select Stanford QB Andrew Luck with the first pick of the draft, the choice of the defensive-oriented Pagano is an interesting one.

Pagano's hiring is the latest chapter of an offseason overhaul for the Colts, who have already parted with Caldwell, vice chairman Bill Polian, GM Chris Polian and many of their assistant coaches. Ryan Grigson was hired as the new general manager earlier this month.

The biggest decision is yet to come as owner Jim Irsay must decide whether to retain four-time MVP QB Peyton Manning, who sat out the team's 2-14 2011 season amid multiple neck surgeries.

To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com.

USA TODAY is now using Facebook Comments on our stories and blog posts to provide an enhanced user experience. To post a comment, log into Facebook and then "Add" your comment. To report spam or abuse, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box. To find out more, read the FAQ and Conversation Guidelines.

About Nate Davis

Nate Davis is a reporter, blogger and editor who's been at USA TODAY since 2000. He has covered the NFL since 2005. No, he did not play quarterback for Ball State. Davis' succession of our esteemed colleague Sean Leahy at The Huddle is considered a Brady-for-Bledsoe swap by most "insiders."More about Nate